Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-03-18


the show-window and caught up the
locket. He put this before his scornful
visitor
Here is something you have never
seen excelled in Paris or elsewhere"
Mr.. Barton looked at the locket in 81
lence. He drew off his gloves and took
up the jewel. He examined it infinitely,
and said at last:
"These are genuine brilliants9"
Guaranteed true diamonds. d"
ga very handsome affair-very hand
some. This came from France9"
Versailles. 1t is a masterpiece, sir
known as the Versailles Locket"
"What is the price2"
'Three thousand dollars
Mr.. Barton inspected it closely, and
laid it down at last with manifest change
of bearning. He looked at Reginald
Fontaine more cordially, and said, in an
insinuating tone:
81 presume you would shade that price
a little for cash?"
II might, a very little" returned the
jeweler, now speaking coldly in his turn.
"Well, I'll see. I'll send my wife
around to look at it. She likes such toys,
but whether she will buy or not is quite
uncertain. Luckily for me, she has money
of her own. For my part, three thousand
dollars is too much to put into jewel"
"What is your business, Mr.. BartonW
inquired Fontaine.
Importer Of oil paintings. am also
commissioned by wealthy people to buy
works of art abroad, and usually make
trip once a year. Am here now to receive
shipment from Antwerp. My wife and
are stopping at the Desplaines House."
He laid down an embossed card, neatly
engraved with his name and bearing his
crest, bowed and sauntered out.
Three days later messenger came to
Reginald Fontaine with this note:
"DEAR SIR: Please bring the locket to
Room "A, Desplaines House, at two o'clock
this afternoon. NV wife wishes to see it, and
is unable to leave the hotel. l can't promise
you that she will buy; but, as you like to show
your wares, l would be pleased to have you
F.. F. BARTON"
Reginald Fontalne thought moment.
Then his dignity asserted itself. He
called his trusty brother, and showed him
the note.
Jean, I'll let you wait on these peo-
pie. Sell the locket if you can. Get
twenty seven hundred if you can't do
any better. Take good care of the
| locket."
A porter led Jean that afternoon to
Room "a, and knocked upon the door.
Center said voice within.
Jean went in. A lovely young woman,
richly clad, with pale face and languid
air, reclined in an easy chair. Before her
on centre-table was a tray of wine
glasses. Mr.. Barton stood opposite, and
still upheld newly opened bottle from
which he had just poured a tiny glass of
dark wine. He bowed to Jean.
''You are from the JEWELERS."
eyes, sir"
'Step forward, if you please"
The porter went out and closed the
door. Jean handed forth the locket,
which Mr.. Barton passed to his wife.
''How beautiful"
She held it to the light and examined
it critically.
''Had you not better take this now2"
said Mr.. Barton, proffering her the glass
of wine
She took it, and looked toward Jean.
perhaps this gentleman" she said,
suggestively.
" Certainly" replied Mr.. Barton. He
poured out two more glasses, and pushed
one toward Jean. Will you join us,
sir2 1t is port Do you like sweet
wineW
Jean was very temperate and unused to
liquors. But here were couple, evil
IDENTIFY of high social rank, accustomed,
no doubt, to the foreign use of wine. 1t
might give offense to refuse, and bargains
often hang ON trifes. He responded
courteously, and slipped the sweet port to
the quick bottom of his glass.
Take a seat here" said the lady.
Jean accepted large easy chair by her
side. She turned her bright, dazzling
eyes upon him,
" You are certain these are real dia-
monds9"
Warranted genuine, madam" re-
turned Jean.
His voice sounded thick to his own
ears, a strange oppression rose into his
brain, the world seemed rocking upon
endless waves, and the lady and the locket
appeared to float away-away.
When Jean awoke, twilight filled the
room with fantastic shadows, and rays
from the street lamps fell Pickering on the
walls.
He knew he was in place he had seen
before, but all was so unwonted, and the
languor that lay upon him was so deli
cious and enchanting, that he felt sure he
was in a dream from which he hated to
awaken.
Even the loud knocking at the door
failed to rouse him to reality, and when
he heard his brothers voice crying out in
alarm: " Jean! Jean" it only stirred his
wrath, as if summoned at an unwelcome
hour.
Then followed silence, and he sat mar
yelling at the luxurious surroundings, and
the mystery of his presence here.
The turning of a key was followed by
the quick entrance of the hotel clerk and
Reginald Fontaine. The jeweler darted
forward to his brother and clasped his
arm; he looked into his dilated eyes and
bewildered face, and cried:
"Jean! Jean! What is the matters
Where is the locket2"
The locket Jean sprang up. His
lethargy departed. He understood, and
tottering toward his brother, fell sense
less at his feet
5 Ten days later the French salesman re-
appeared. In vain Reginald Fontaine re.
counted these facts and urged delay until
the swindler was captured and the locket
recovered. The Frenchman only